Export Innovation Grants Costa Rica 2025: How to Secure up to USD 120,000 from PROCOMER

Costa Rica punches well above its weight in global trade. For a nation of five million, it has built standout export niches — medical devices, business and IT services, specialty agriculture and sustainable tourism — and PROCOMER has been a central partner in that ascent. If your Costa Rican company sells (or is ready to sell) abroad and you have a concrete innovation that will make you more competitive internationally, PROCOMER’s Innovation Fund can provide up to USD 120,000 in non-dilutive support. This is not general business funding; it’s money aimed at projects that change how you win customers in foreign markets.

Think of this grant like a growth engine for export projects: it pays for product adaptations, certifications, technology adoption, market entry work and operational upgrades that directly increase your ability to sell across borders. It’s the kind of funding that turns “we could export” into “we are exporting” — provided you present a credible plan, realistic numbers, and evidence that your innovation will translate into foreign sales.

This guide walks you through what the program pays for, who has a strong shot, the mistakes to avoid, and an action plan you can follow so you don’t submit a last-minute half-baked proposal. Read this and you’ll know whether to invest weeks of work into an application — and how to make those weeks pay off.

At a Glance

Why This Opportunity Matters (Introduction)

Money targeted at export-driven innovation is rare — and valuable. Grants that insist on a clear link between innovation and export results push companies to think beyond local markets. The PROCOMER fund does exactly that: it asks you to show how a product tweak, a process upgrade, a certification or a market development activity will increase your performance with international buyers.

For growing exporters this grant solves two common bottlenecks. First, it covers the costs that stand between you and a foreign sale: testing, certifications, prototypes, specialized equipment or international marketing. Second, it reduces financial risk at a stage where private investors might not yet see sufficient revenue to justify backing. In plain terms: this funding helps you close the gap from “pilot” to “repeatable export sales.”

The October 31, 2025 deadline is firm. That’s good news if you tend to procrastinate: it creates focus. It also means you should begin preparing now — ideally months in advance — because the strongest applications demonstrate market traction, credible budgets, and an executable plan that ties every activity to export outcomes.

If you want to scale exports without giving up equity, or you need capital to meet foreign regulations or buyer specs, this is one of the most relevant programs in Costa Rica. But don’t confuse ambition with realism: reviewers expect tight budgets, measurable milestones and export-related metrics.

What This Opportunity Offers

PROCOMER’s Innovation Fund can cover a broad set of activities that have a direct, demonstrable effect on export competitiveness. The USD 120,000 cap is significant — large enough to fund product development, certification processes, technological upgrades, or multi-country market-entry pilots. Examples of fundable activities include:

• Product innovation: development of a new product variant or modification that meets requirements in a target market (e.g., reformulating a food product to meet EU standards, adapting a medical device to a foreign regulatory regime).
• Process innovation: investments in manufacturing or service-delivery processes that raise quality and reduce costs, enabling you to meet export price and quality expectations.
• Certification and compliance: paying for ISO, HACCP, organic, Fair Trade, CE marking, FDA registration, or other certifications required by buyers or regulators in export markets.
• Technology adoption: implementing production or quality-control technologies that directly increase exportability — for instance, an automated packaging line that extends shelf life for international shipment.
• Market development: targeted market studies, trade missions, participation in international fairs, and establishing distributorship agreements or pilot sales channels abroad.
• Capacity building: specialist training, consultancy or technical assistance that equips your team to operate at export-standard levels.

The program is explicit that benefits must tie to exporting. Purely domestic productivity improvements with no export path are unlikely to be funded. Funds are non-dilutive (no equity taken) and typically require a matching contribution from the company, which can be cash or documented in-kind in some cases. Projects usually run 12–18 months, long enough to complete certifications, pilot production runs and initial sales efforts.

Example scenarios:

• A small agro-processor uses USD 80,000 to install post-harvest sorting and packaging that extends shelf life and secures EU supermarket contracts.
• A software SME receives USD 60,000 to localize its platform, obtain a data privacy compliance certification, and attend two European trade shows to close pilot contracts.
• A medtech company funds clinical validation and regulatory consulting to support initial export approvals in Latin American markets.

Who Should Apply

This fund is geared to Costa Rican companies that either already sell overseas or have products and processes that are export-ready. Typical applicants include manufacturing SMEs, technology service companies, agribusiness exporters and firms working in creative industries with international demand.

You should consider applying if:

• Your company is legally registered in Costa Rica and can show formal documents to prove it.
• You have export activity (past invoices, shipping documents, distribution agreements) or you have products ready for export but need finishing work (certifications, packaging, reformulation).
• Your proposed project clearly accelerates international sales — not just improves domestic operations.
• You can document the required matching contribution (usually 30–50% of total project cost).
• Your team can execute or can reasonably contract the technical elements within 12–18 months.

Real-world examples of good fits:

• A coffee exporter that wants to obtain organic and specialty certifications to enter premium European markets.
• A small manufacturer that needs process automation and quality control to meet US buyer specifications.
• An IT services firm that requires GDPR compliance and bilingual marketing to land European clients.
• A fresh fruit exporter investing in post-harvest handling and cold-chain logistics to reach distant markets.

Startups with no product-market fit or no evidence of export readiness usually won’t be competitive. Likewise, projects that are purely research without a clear commercialization path into foreign markets are a poor match.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

The difference between a funded application and a polite rejection often comes down to clarity: clear export outcomes, realistic budgets, and evidence you can deliver. Here are seven practical, reviewer-tested tips.

1. Tie every activity to a measurable export outcome. If you plan to pay for certification, state which countries require it, which buyers requested it, and the expected increase in export volume or value. Don’t say “we will improve quality”; say “we will pass EU X standard and jump from 0 to 3 supermarket contracts within 12 months.”

2. Provide concrete market evidence. Attach emails, MOUs, preliminary purchase orders, or letters from potential distributors. If you have a buyer who says they’ll test a shipment after certification, include that correspondence. Reviewers prize market traction.

3. Build a bottoms-up budget. Itemize costs: consultant fees, certification costs, equipment quotes, travel to trade shows, production runs. If your equipment vendor gives a quote, include it. Inflated or vague budgets undermine credibility.

4. Show matching funds early. Whether it’s cash on the balance sheet, an investor commitment, or in-kind contributions, document it. If the match is bank financing, include a letter from the bank. Reviewers must see you’re financially committed.

5. Explain technical risks and mitigations. If a testing protocol might take longer than expected, state contingency plans. If a certification requires a facility upgrade, show the vendor timeline. Acknowledging risk and addressing it makes you look realistic, not fearful.

6. Use accessible language. Many review panels include business and technical reviewers. Avoid heavy jargon; define industry terms and acronyms the first time you use them. A well-written executive summary that a non-specialist can follow is worth its weight in gold.

7. Engage PROCOMER before submission. Their advisors can clarify eligibility, suggest stronger presentation angles, and help you avoid administrative missteps. Reach out early and ask for any available pre-submission guidance.

Application Timeline (Work backwards from Oct 31, 2025)

Start now. The strongest proposals are built over months, not days.

• Now – July 2025: Define the project scope. Collect evidence of export interest (buyer emails, past exports), secure vendor quotes, and draft a preliminary budget. Begin internal approvals for matching funds.
• July – August 2025: Draft the full application: project narrative, export strategy, activity plan, budget, and team CVs. Request support letters from partners and customers.
• August – September 2025: Submit draft documents to PROCOMER or an advisor for early feedback, if that service is available. Revise budget and timeline according to input.
• Late September – early October 2025: Finalize documents. Ensure financial statements and registration documents are current. Obtain signed commitment letters from partners and match confirmations.
• Mid-October 2025: Do a final review with your finance office and legal counsel. Convert files into required formats.
• At least 72 hours before deadline: Upload and submit. Technical issues are common the day of major deadlines; don’t risk it.

Required Materials (What to prepare and how to present it)

Assemble clear, verifiable documentation. Quality beats quantity.

• Company registry and legal documents: up-to-date registration, tax ID, and any permits relevant to your industry.
• Financial statements: preferably audited or at least certified financials for the last 1–3 years. Show capacity to contribute matching funds.
• Export evidence or readiness proof: invoices, bills of lading, buyer emails, or a detailed explanation of why the product is export-ready.
• Project narrative: a concise but thorough description of the innovation, milestones, timeline, and how each activity connects to export metrics.
• Export strategy: market selection justification, customer segments, channel strategy and sales projections with assumptions shown.
• Detailed budget and justification: cost line-items, supporting quotes and the exact amount requested versus company match.
• Team biographies: short CVs that highlight relevant experience to execute the project.
• Supporting documents: supplier quotes, letters from prospective buyers, consultancy agreements, research data, or technical certifications in process.

Prepare these materials in readable formats (PDFs are standard) and label them clearly. Include summary tables in the main narrative so reviewers can skim and then drill into details in attachments.

What Makes an Application Stand Out (Review Criteria)

Applications are judged primarily on export impact. Reviewers commonly allocate points across these dimensions:

• Export impact (≈35%): Will the project materially increase exports? Is there a plausible path to sales growth? Evidence of buyer interest raises your score.
• Innovation quality (≈25%): Does the project create new export capability — a new product variant, required certification, or process improvement?
• Execution capability (≈20%): Can your team deliver? Do you have the operational and financial capacity, or credible partners to fill gaps?
• Market understanding (≈15%): Is your target market selection sensible? Do you know competitors, pricing and channels?
• Sustainability (≈5%): Will benefits persist after the grant? Is there a credible plan to scale exports beyond the pilot phase?

Top applications make it easy for reviewers to answer “yes” to each of those questions, using concrete data and realistic timelines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid (And how to fix them)

1. Treating export as an afterthought. Don’t write a domestic project and tack on an export sentence. Reverse the logic: show how each activity drives export capability and results.

2. Inflated sales forecasts. Big numbers without supporting evidence are a red flag. Use realistic projections and show assumptions: conversion rates, lead times and expected price points.

3. Vague budgets. Don’t say “equipment: USD 30,000” without vendor quotes or a line-item breakdown. Attach quotes and explain any in-kind items.

4. Weak documentation of matching funds. If you can’t prove match capacity, reviewers assume you can’t complete the project. Provide bank statements, board approvals or financing letters.

5. Late submission. Technical or administrative issues are real. Submit early and give yourself time for fixes.

6. Overlooking reporting requirements. Plan for the grant’s monitoring: progress reports, receipts, and final deliverables. Build reporting time and cost into the project timeline.

Fix these by drafting early, seeking feedback, and being ruthlessly specific.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much company matching is required? A: It varies by activity and company size, but expect to contribute roughly 30–50% of total project costs. Matching can be cash or documented in-kind contribution; confirm specifics with PROCOMER.

Q: Can startups apply? A: The fund favors companies with some operational history or clear export readiness. Pure early-stage startups without products or market evidence are typically not competitive.

Q: Which sectors get priority? A: The fund covers most export sectors, with attention to areas where Costa Rica is strong: medical devices, technology services, agribusiness, specialized manufacturing and sustainable tourism. Priority areas can shift, so check current guidelines.

Q: Can I combine this grant with other funding? A: Generally yes, but you must disclose other sources and ensure there’s no prohibited stacking. PROCOMER will clarify compatibility with other public instruments.

Q: What reporting is required if I’m funded? A: Expect periodic progress reports, financial documentation for expenses, and a final report demonstrating export outcomes and use of funds.

Q: What if my project runs longer than planned? A: Extensions may be possible but are not guaranteed. Build a realistic timeline up front and include contingencies.

Q: Will PROCOMER provide technical assistance? A: PROCOMER can advise on process and fit; for technical project execution you’ll likely need consultants or vendors. Engage PROCOMER early to understand available advisory services.

How to Apply / Get Started

Ready to act? Follow this practical checklist:

1. Confirm eligibility: verify legal registration and your export status or readiness.
2. Draft a one-page project summary that answers: what you will do, why it will increase exports, how much it costs, and what you will measure.
3. Gather documentation: financials, registration, buyer contact evidence and vendor quotes.
4. Secure matching funds: board approval, bank letters or internal accounting confirmation.
5. Contact PROCOMER: ask about any sector priorities, documentation requirements, and whether pre-submission feedback is available.
6. Complete the full application package and submit at least 72 hours before the October 31, 2025 deadline.

For the official program details, application forms and contact points, visit PROCOMER’s site:

Apply Now

Ready to apply? Visit the official opportunity page and start your application: https://www.procomer.com/

If you’d like, tell me briefly about your company (sector, export status, estimated budget and timeline) and I’ll help sketch a focused one-page project summary you can use for internal approvals and the application.